Patchwork notebook, 08-30

Just tossing a real quick notebook together before my freelance assignment tips off with the Silver Stars. (Don’t laugh — $100 is $100.) I’m going to start saving a lot of my material for the daily edition and advance material for game days and the like, but here’s some of the more noteworthy stuff from the last couple of days.

* After literally not hearing a single word about walk-on wide receiver Brandon Freeman during training camp or last spring, I finally got a decent idea of what he’s done to earn a starting job from head coach Larry Coker and offensive coordinator Travis Bush.

Basically, it sounds like he really impressed with his attention to detail, consistency and penchant for making the spectacular catch. Not sure what that says about the rest of the wide receivers that a former walk-on at New Mexico State could have come in and snatch a job like he did.

But, after watching various receivers stand out during last year’s fall practice, he must have really stood out. Even more impressive considering Freeman isn’t all that big (5-10, 155) or fast. Just a hard working kid who came in and pulled off probably the biggest surprise of training camp. Even he admitted he was surprised to find out he’d be starting. (I’ll be going more in depth on Freeman with my player spotlight on Saturday’s preview package.)

* Coker said he’s told about “half a dozen players” they could be red-shirting this year. He wouldn’t identify who, because those plans could quickly evaporate should injuries start to pile up. Perhaps more interestingly, he said the Roadrunners could consider red-shirting some of this year’s freshmen during their sophomore year, once they have another recruiting class to build up depth.

As I’ve noted previously, UTSA is going to have to somehow get some stagger between their first two recruiting classes. And with injuries already mounting, 13 true freshmen have already been pressed into either starting or backup duty. So, strange as it might seem, next year might be a more comfortable spot.

* No big deal about defensive tackle Dominique Henderson not appearing on the depth chart, Coker said. He should have been a “slash,” which is one of those “or” tandems you might have noticed, connotating a platoon. He’ll definitely be a factor in UTSA’s rotation up front, Coker said.

* While Coker said special teams are improving, the shrug/grimace he offered when asked about the unit could be telling. He again lavished praise on scholarship punter Josh Ward, who will also handle kickoffs, and he said place kicker Sean Ianno is bouncing back from some inconsistent moments during training camp. (Which Coker, incidentally, blamed on overuse). But Coker also said that punt returns and coverage have been shaky.

* Pressed Coker, Bush and offensive line coach Jim Marshall for a definitive timeline on guard Patrick Hoog, but none bit. I’m extremely leery with this kind of information until it comes from an actual team member’s mouth — coach, player, whatever. I will guess that he’ll likely back at some point from his sprained ankle considering they haven’t ruled him out for the season, as they have with true freshman linebacker Drew Douglas.

But, considering Marshall said he has yet to begin rehabilitiation on his damaged ankle, it could be a while. Otherwise, Hoog’s “indefinite” covers everything between “out” and “day-to-day,” and those are the only categories we’re going to get from an official standpoint. (Don’t even get me started on that, by the way.)

So, gird thy loins, Payton Rion (who has at least put on a good 20 pounds on since signing day, Bush said, putting up over the 280 mark).

* Almost forgot — had a chance to sit down with center Nate Leonard for the second time, getting material for a feature story that will run in tomorrow’s paper. I really, really like this kid. From a reporter’s standpoint, he’s an absolute dream — smart, witty, articulate and definitely not shy about sharing his opinion. Can’t ask for much more than that.

I was kind of blindsided, however, upon speaking to his dad earlier this afternoon. Leonard’s mother Toni Baggett, an accomplished lawyer and judge who died a few years back after contracting ovarian cancer. I found an obituary while snooping around online, which gives one a pretty good idea how Nate turned out like he did.

* One last edit — four fans sitting in the stands at the Silver Stars game with foam Roadrunners heads on.